A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-5-05 .....Runaway 'found', but still lost in Fantasyland

JohnHuang2, DollyCali | May 5, 2005 | JohnHuang2

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Runaway 'found', but still lost in Fantasyland

by JohnHuang2

Why this business of running away? Was it the stress? Was it the pressure of expectations of seeing a happy face, despite the doubt, despite the worry and apprehension? To me, the impulsiveness involved here is staggering. What incredibly whacko behavior. This is delusional, totally demented. Yeah, sure, runaway to fantasyland rather than face things in life like an adult! Lying, fabricating stories. Diverting scarce resources. Wasting taxpayers' money. But enough about Democrats in Washington.

Speaking of oddball behavior, have you noticed the flood of articles lately about how much trouble Bush and the GOP are in? With headlines like the AP's, A Rocky First 100 Days for New Bush Term, or the Washington Post's, Doubts About Mandate for Bush, GOP, the MSM just keeps churning 'em out these days. It's the only way to keep Democrats from jumping off ledges, slitting their wrists, or boarding a bus for Vegas. And who can blame sniveling liberals for wanting to 'escape'? Iraq's got a new government, Canada will soon, Bolton's gonna make it, DeLay's gonna make it, the economy keeps growing and people keep going to church. And Hillary keeps threatening to run in '08, which means two terms of President Condi Rice. On top of that, Afghan opium production is down, which means less supply available to help Democrats cope.

You know things are bad for liberals when even the 30-year anniversary of the fall of Saigon does little to elevate their mood. And the Left can't even shoot straight these days. Over the weekend, left-wing whackjob, Kim Jong ll, launches a missile but it ends up landing in the water. Yet Bloomberg News seems impressed, believing that killing Flipper is Pyongyang's way of forcing "the U.S. into direct talks." And if the U.S. still balks, I guess North Korea can ratchet the pressure up by threatening to starve itself to death. In Iraq, Islamist whackjob Zarqawi has been launching car bombs approximately every five minutes, but missing his target -- the British elections -- each time. Tony Blair's coasting to a third term. (Incidentally, a newly captured letter, signed by an al-Qaeda member, complains bitterly about low morale in their group owing to incompetent leaders -- such as Hamid, Ahmed, Abdullah, Rafik, Reid, Pelosi, you name it.)

Michael Howard, Tory leader and history-footnote-in-waiting, has been pounding away at the war in Iraq. But Howard's had trouble making a coherent case against Blair. Howard voted to remove Saddam. Then changed his mind when weapons stockpiles could not be found, challenging Blair's rush-to-war, accusing him of manipulating pre-war intelligence. He says Blair personally misled him into voting for the war, though he stands by that vote. Rumor says Howard plans to go out with a bang by revealing that, as a young man, HE SERVED IN VIETNAM ON A SWIFTBOAT! Imagine if Kerry had tried that line.

The latest MORI survey shows Blair's party enjoying a comfortable 10-point lead, dashing Democrat hopes of an embarrassing setback for Bush, a la Spain. Nevertheless, says the Washington Post, "as the president passed the 100th day mark of his second term over the weekend, the main question facing Bush and his party is whether they misread the November election." (Who knows, maybe Kerry won!) GOP President wins a majority of the ballots cast; GOP picks up seats in the House and Senate, takes down Democrat Senate leader -- yes, how silly to misread all this as a GOP victory. Besides, Bush has had 100 days to fix Social Security, fix the tax code, fix the judiciary, get all his judges confirmed, reshape the culture and end the crisis of Erectile Dysfunction commercials, but he hasn't, which means he's probably doomed to just two terms, according to Washington Post reporters. Not to digress, but you'll recall, not long ago, Post reporters complained that Bush had brought a fake turkey to Baghdad -- but only realized it three days after they ate it. If Post reporters were any dumber, they would need fertilizer, sunlight and frequent watering.

Terence Hunt, AP White House correspondent, writes that Bush's "slide in the polls and the dissatisfaction with his performance have been striking." According to Gallup, Bush's slide in the polls has been so striking, his approval rate is now almost as low as it was last November! That's when Bush rode "dissatisfaction with his performance" to a second term. Boy, is he ever in trouble.

Mr. Hunt quotes a University professor: "'(Bush's) behaved like a 'landslide president . . . ''" (If I didn't know better, I'd swear Bush got 62 million votes.) Not only that, but "Democrats in Congress have proven to be a more effective force than anyone expected," notes Mr. Hunt, "standing united and combative in opposing" the Bush agenda, taking a page from that unstoppable political juggernaut, Tom Daschle.

So, Democrats plan to campaign next year as the party of no viable solutions and the party which thinks the four top issues facing the country today are 1) DeLay's trip to a country club in Russia 8 years ago 2) DeLay's trip to a golf course in Scotland 5 years ago 3) complaints from intelligence analysts that 'Bolton Doesn't Send Me Flowers Anymore', with Bolton acting insubordinate to subordinates 4) protecting the filibuster, because, if there's one thing that electrifies voters, it's debate on arcane Senate procedures! And debate about the rights of the minority, represented by Robert Byrd, who loves minorities, I'm sure. I see a filibuster-proof GOP Senate in 19 months.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-02-05....Military Monday 05-03-05....A Day at the Races 05-04-05 Ten More Finest Excuses

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

[DollyCali]

Cinco de Mayo????

Well, not exactly....

B-U-T

Do, join us for the best of the forum as JohnHuang2 presents a terrific essay that tells it like it is ...(and I heard from a little "birdie' that there WILL be Cinco "stuff" throughout the day.)

[DollyCali]

May the Lord of great love and of creation keep the men and women of our military in His loving and eternal care. May the families be immersed with peace and comfort as they proudly know their loved ones are giving their best for the things that are dear to all of us. AMEN

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor; DollyCali, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maigrey...................cousin OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin.......niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece eaglesiniowa.....................son auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio.........................2 nephews Alouette................................son Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk..........................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty CGblue........................active duty bigghurtt ................active duty frankiep...................active duty

scubachick.........................husband ladtx................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...........................son gator girl.........................husband severa...............husband, brother Hostel.................................cousin MozartLover..............son, nephew LBGA (RIP)...................................son katykelly................................son cookcounty............................son SpookBrat..............nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...........son-in-law Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend El Gato.........................nephew deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson..................2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son Consort.......2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons homeschoolmama.................nephew kneezles.................................son Rose inRoseBear......cousin's hubby Redhead............step-granddaughter Redhead...........step-grdaughter fiance Atomic Conspiracy.........half-brother Atomic Conspiracy................nephew Atomic Conspiracy....................niece Sunflowergal.........................grandson visualops..............................cousin mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband Leofl...........................................son chena............................................son campfollower............................fiance LUV W............................................son painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad.................................son SkiMask...................................son TheMayor...........................friends'son mhking.....................................cousin Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son Hope and Glory.............................son ak_daddoo..................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife...............husband Walkenfree.....2 grandsons, 3 nephews Walkenfree...................1 granddaughter ariamne...............................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13......brother-in-law, cousin DirtyHarryY2K............daughter, son-in-law nelibeli......................................nephew

[Mama_Bear]

Great job, Dolly!!! I'll be back tomorrow to read John's essay when I am more wide awake.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Neat, enjoyed the read.

[The Mayor]

May 5, 2005

Only One Door

Read:
John 10:7-10

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved. -John 10:9

Bible In One Year: Psalm 73-75

Old Testament scholar Sir George Adam Smith says that when he visited the Holy Land he came upon a shepherd and his sheep standing before a stockade. There was no door in that protective enclosure, only an opening the width of a man's body.

Smith asked the shepherd why there was no door, and he explained: "I am the way in. I stand in the opening, and the sheep pass under me into the stockade. When they are all safely inside, I lie down across that opening. No thief can get in and no sheep can get out except over my body. I am the entrance."

We are like sheep who need a Shepherd (1 Peter 2:25). For entrance into heaven, a place of eternal bliss, Jesus gave this amazing claim: "I am the door of the sheep. . . . If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved" (John 10:7-9). The people listening to Him that day didn't think of a wooden gate swinging on hinges. They understood that He was really saying, "I am the entrance into the homeland of God." He could claim to be the way into that eternal blessedness, the exclusive way into God's glory, because He is the incarnate Son of God.

Jesus is the only way into heaven (John 14:6). We gain entrance only by putting our faith in Him. -Vernon Grounds

Come to the Savior, make no delay-
Here in His Word He's shown us the way;
Here in our midst He's standing today,
Tenderly saying, "Come!" -Root

There are many ways to hell, but only one way to heaven.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Religion Or Christ: What's The Difference?

[GailA]

Good morning all. JH2 "I see a filibuster-proof GOP Senate in 19 months." from your pen to God's ear!

[dutchess]

John...excellent read AS ALWAYS!!!!!

AWESOME JOB DOLLY....the illustrations and layout are PERFECT!!!!!! You certainly have passed the test with flying colors!!!!!

Busy work day. Be back later!

[DollyCali]

Good morning. I agree with you...but being the impatient member of the VRWC I would like to see that 19 DAYS...

Thanks Lori. A lot less of "sweating bullets" by NOT getting fancy/creative.

Welcome Ursus...hope you will share with us today & often. this is a freindly group of folks.

Any one have big "Cinco" plans? Today is also National Day of Prayer & there are many programs going on in the area. And our good friends in England are voting to either retain Prime Minister Blair or Replace him with Howard.

[DollyCali]

Dutchess and I, Sistahs from Ohio (the state that worked it's butt off to return POTUS to Washington) invite you to join us in a Mexican Hat Dance Grab your favorite partner, Go to your favorite Mexican Restaurant (NO -- TACO BELL DOESN"T COUNT) and have your favs for food/beverage & try NOT to get too upset over "border issues" for just today!!!

Cinco Site with many links/resources

So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862. The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas.

Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon's French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.

The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy -- as European countries traditionally did.

General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks. In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them. The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes.

When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz' superb horsemen miles away. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.

Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City.

It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows? In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America.

Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such a party -- A party that celebrates freedom and liberty. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862. VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!

[Aquamarine]

Great job on the essay you two, think you've got the hang of it Dolly!

A little Salsa music for your enjoyment. (Guaranteed to wake you up). :)

Maria

Bailamos

[Pippin]

BUENO!

(Is this the right word?)

I'm trying to say "WELL DONE"

JH2 Scores!

((((DOLLY)))))!

((((JH2))))!

[Darksheare]

I'm in.

Prowling about.
Dodging aggressive ceiling fixtures and recalcitrant electric can openers..

[DollyCali]

thanks for music Aqua..Nice & lively!!

And a big thanks to Pookie, whose offerings I save to use in many places.. including here!

Right now I need to turn focus on "charleston"... lol. Mother & Daughter banquet for church Sat I have a solo ski/dance routine (which of course isn't started yet). Also have first half of sermon on sunday - 15 mintues (to write) and a power point presentation for after with pix of ladies/children at church woven among other "sayings" etc. AND out of town family is coming today for two days. I will be busy here.

found these in Pookie's offerings today that go along a bit with Johns great essay:

And this great pix of the DC FReepers recently "doing their things"

[DollyCali]

Hi there Pippin ! Gracias Senorita!

Dark.. are you a klutz (Like ME?) good luck in your evasive techniques. Serpentine! Serpentine! Remember the first movie - maybe from 70s? INLAWS. funny flick

[bmwcyle]

I was out of town but Code Pink on Friday is the next objective.

[DollyCali]

I didn't see your face in any of the pix so thought you might not be there. Pinky day should be 'interesting' . The flaming feminists to me are worse to confront publicly than media. Media tries to be on good behavior. Feminists are classless at these "events"

[FreeTheHostages]

[pookie18]

Thanks, Sweetie!!

[Darksheare]

More like a nexus of inverse energy.
Put me in a room full of really lucky people, and I'll be the guy the anvil lands on.
Put me in a room full of unlucky people, and I'm the guy the sun shines on.

Doesn't always follow that rule of tumb, but that's teh basic 'meat' of it.

And I am a bit of a klutz as well.

*chuckle*